Health & Wellness

Baltimore – September 17, 2026 -- Mercy Medical Center has introduced Mako SmartRoboticsTM technology for shoulder replacement surgery, making it among the first providers in the Mid-Atlantic region to offer the robotic-arm assisted procedure.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregory Gasbarro leads the new program

Gregory V. Gasbarro, M.D., a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained shoulder specialist at Mercy, is now performing robotic Mako shoulder arthroplasty for patients. He treats patients ages 15 and older through The Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand Center at Mercy.

The technology builds a 3D surgical plan from a patient's own CT scan

Mako SmartRoboticsTM uses a detailed 3D CT scan of each patient's shoulder to generate a personalized surgical plan. During the operation, the robotic-arm assisted system helps the surgeon execute that plan with added precision while allowing real-time adjustments.

Cibolo – September 17, 2026 -- Family Care Center has opened a new outpatient behavioral health clinic in Cibolo, Texas, giving patients in-network access to therapy, psychiatry, medication management, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) under one roof.

The Cibolo location is Family Care Center's 50th outpatient clinic

The opening marks a milestone for the organization, which now operates 50 outpatient behavioral health locations across five states. The clinic serves children, teens, and adults, and accepts major insurance plans, expanding in-network care options for patients throughout the San Antonio area.

Rochester Hills – September 17, 2026 -- Daia Orthodontics & TMJ Orthopedics, based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has acquired four orthodontic clinics in Canada's Maritime provinces, expanding its patient network to five total locations.

The deal covers clinics in Grand Falls and Woodstock, New Brunswick, and Charlottetown and Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

The four sites, formerly operating under the docbraces brand, will keep their existing clinical and administrative staff. Founder Dr. Hadi Daia has treated patients at these locations since 2021, building relationships with local doctors and families before the acquisition.

Irving, Texas – September 17, 2026 -- Active Dental has surpassed 2,500 five-star patient reviews on Google across its five Dallas-Fort Worth offices, part of a total of more than 2,800 Google reviews for the practice. Each of the five locations currently holds an average Google rating of 4.8 or 4.9 stars.

The practice grew from one Irving office in 2009 to five locations today

Founder Dr. Kalpesh Patel opened the first Active Dental office in Irving in 2009. The practice has since expanded to Plano, Frisco, Flower Mound and Prosper, building its review total across routine cleanings, children's checkups, restorative work and same-day emergency visits at every office.

Washington, D.C. – September 17, 2026 -- Solidcore, the boutique strength-training chain known for its reformer-based classes, is launching a new heated, floor-based workout called solidcore ascend, giving members a second way to train within the same studio ecosystem.

The debut class runs 50 minutes and hits 90 degrees

The first ascend class, Strong50, is a full-body, 50-minute session built around hypertrophy, strength, and power. It takes place entirely on the floor using a custom weight and resistance station, with a coach guiding weight selection, tempo, and movement. Classes are heated to a target of 90 degrees using infrared heat, which the company says eases inflammation, aids muscle recovery, and improves blood flow.

NEW YORK – September 17, 2026 -- A new clinical study finds that a single application of Biodance's Real Deep Hydrogel Mask returned skin to its pre-procedure baseline within hours of fractional laser treatment, a procedure known to temporarily damage the skin's protective barrier.

Researchers tested 32 participants using a split-face design.

Each participant underwent fractional laser treatment, then had the Real Deep Mask applied to one half of the face while the other half remained untreated, allowing direct comparison under identical conditions. Board-certified dermatologists Dr. Luke Maxfield and Dr. Christopher Tomassian presented the results.

Lawrence, Mass. – September 17, 2026 -- Massachusetts Medicare beneficiaries can now get free, confidential help checking their bills for fraud through the state's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program, following National "Report Medicare Fraud" Day on September 12.

Beneficiaries are urged to compare bills against actual care received

The MA SMP Program advises Medicare recipients to cross-check their Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs), Explanations of Benefits (EOBs), and other billing statements against the healthcare services they actually received. Charges for unfamiliar equipment, tests, or services not received are red flags worth reporting.

The program steps in when beneficiaries can't resolve issues alone

When a suspicious charge can't be sorted out directly, MA SMP reviews the situation and determines next steps, including referring suspected fraud or abuse cases to investigative authorities.

New York – September 17, 2026 -- Zocdoc launched a new marketing campaign called "Ready to be Seen?" on September 14, aimed at making it easier for patients to book appointments with doctors who actually fit their needs.

Nearly half of patients dread finding a doctor

A recent Zocdoc survey found that 42% of patients say booking a doctor feels like finding a needle in a haystack, while 48% say they dread the process altogether.

Getting an appointment isn't enough for most patients

The same survey found 71% of patients say finding the right doctor matters as much as getting an appointment quickly, and 50% wish providers took more time to understand them. Notably, 71% say they're more likely to be honest with a doctor when they feel understood.

Patchogue, N.Y. – September 16, 2026 -- Untreated tooth infections rarely resolve on their own and can spread into bone and soft tissue, according to insights from Dr. Christopher Joubert of East Endodontic Dental Specialists featured in a HelloNation article on endodontic care.

Infections inside the tooth can cause lasting damage if ignored

Endodontic care focuses on diagnosing and treating problems inside the tooth, particularly issues involving the pulp and nerves. These conditions often stem from tooth infection, deep decay, cracks, dental trauma, or failed previous treatments. Bacteria that reach the pulp multiply and can spread into surrounding structures, leading to swelling, pain, and abscesses.

Strasburg, Colo. – September 16, 2026 -- Dry indoor air in Strasburg, Colorado can irritate eyes, noses, and throats and worsen asthma or allergy symptoms, according to HVAC expert Darrin Monks of U.S. Mechanical Company, featured in a new HelloNation article.

Colorado's elevation and cold winters strip moisture from indoor air

The article explains that Strasburg's high elevation, cold winters, and naturally low humidity create year-round challenges. Running heating systems during colder months further reduces indoor moisture, leaving homes feeling colder even when thermostats are set normally.

Beyond health, dry air increases static electricity and can damage wood floors, furniture, and musical instruments.